DUSSELDORF
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Ice Rink Brings Free Christmas Magic to the “Ko”
For
another year at Dusseldorf’s Christmas Market, an
ice rink for family entertainment makes its appearance for fun on skates
against
the background of the architecture of the city’s dramatic
Schauspielhaus on Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz. Skating is offered free
of charge for all visitors to the market. The Christmas Market (Weihnactsmarkt)
in Dusseldorf is held in six separate locations around the Old Town area.
Providing a magical a setting for the Christmas Market is Düsseldorf’s
town hall Rathaus on Marktplatz, where stalls beneath Düsseldorf’s
city landmark, the statue of the Prince-Elector Jan Wellem, mounted on
his mighty steed, you’ll find handmade crafts of metal-smiths,
glassblowers and candle makers on display for unique gift shopping. The
Engelchenmarkt (little angels market) on Heinrich-Hein-Platz is distinguished
by its Art-Nouveau flavor. The market on Flinger Strasse, forming the
passage from the Marktplatz to Heinrich-Heine-Platz, has rows of quaint
little huts shaped after historic Düsseldorf town houses, while
the aromatic steamy hot maroni (chestnuts) vendors beckon. The traditional
Dusseldorfer "Glühwein" pyramid of spiced hot wine has
become a unique sight and over the years a popular place to meet for
a draft of the Christmas season spiced mulled wine. Or have
a traditional snack of chopped meat topped with onions (hackfleish zwiebeln)
with a
glass
of
Dusseldorf’s
local “Alte Beer” or a tipple of Killepitsch herb liqueur.
At
the Sternchenmarkt (market of little stars) on Stadtbrückchen
square, giant crystals and sparkling stars on the sky-blue stalls create
a mystical multi-colored winter landscape. On Schadowplatz, the Christmas
market is especially lively and family-friendly, where a carousel
and a puppet
theatre located inside a heated tent will keep the little elves warm
and happy. All around Schadowstrasse, there are stalls offering arts
and crafts, snacks and Christmas drinks and another merry-go-round for
the kids. And don’t forget to take a stroll along world-famous
Königsallee, with its lights and upscale shopping which has given
Dusseldorf the nick-name of “Little Paris”. The giant chestnut
trees with their furry seed globes along the boulevard sparkle with thousands
of lights, radiating a wonderful Christmas atmosphere.
A “Jingle Bell” walking tour of the Christmas Market lasting
about two hours is offered in English on Fridays and Saturdays by the
tourism office - € 12 for adults and € 6 for children 6-12.
The tour starts at 4 pm and the price includes a glass of spiced Gluewein
(hot chocolate for the kids) and the special sweet Christmas Biscuit.
The meeting point for the tours is the tourist info office in the Old
Town at Marktstrasse and Rheinstrasse.
Opening times
of the Dusseldorf Christmas market: November 18 to December 23, 2010,
daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and until
9 p.m. on
Friday and Saturday. The Christmas Market is closed on Nov. 23, Totensonntag – the
Sunday commemorating the dead). The craft and gift shops open on Sunday,
December 13 (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.). A Dusseldorf Welcome Card can be purchased
from the tourism office or from rail stations for unlimited travel
on the local transportation system along with discounts at many attractions
including the tours. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find best hotel vacation deals in Dusseldorf on TripAdvisor
Web Info
Dusseldorf
Tourism
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Photos courtesy Duesseldorf Tourism.
See Also:
GERMANY'S BEST BIG CHRISTMAS MARKETS
CHRISTMAS MARKETS – FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN
FEBRUARY KARNIVAL IN DUSSELDORF
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS - THE SANTA CLAUS GAP
AUSTRIA’S
TEN BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS
